A big part of what made Avatar: The Last Airbender so appealing to fans around the world were the incredible characters. Aang, Katara, Sokka, Zuko, and Iroh were all engaging in their own ways, each one of them on their own journeys to the same place. But possibly the most interesting character in the series was Toph Beifong.
Toph was a blind Earthbender from the Earth Kingdom. She sought freedom from her domineering parents who were far too overprotective of her. Once she struck out with Aang and the gang, she proved herself to be a powerful Earthbender and a source of many big moments.
Used To Work As A Pro Wrestler
When Team Avatar met Toph, she was working in an underground earthbending tournament, also known as Earth Rumble. Given the way it was booked and run, Earth Rumble was the closest thing in the world of Avatar to pro wrestling.
Toph was part of Earth Rumble as a means rebelling against her parents in an incredibly secretive manner. It was one of the most interesting things that she or any other member of Team Avatar did throughout the series.
Taking On Xin Fu
Xin Fu was the promoter and host of Earth Rumble, not to mention a formidable Earthbender in his own right. He was, for all intents and purposes, the equivalent of Vince McMahon if he could move Earth with his mind.
When Team Avatar was put in the position of having to fight Xin Fu and his wrestlers, Toph stepped up and beat them all down. Even Xin Fu ended up being no match for her, despite how powerful he was.
A Literal Living Lie Detector
Toph may have been blind, but that hardly prevented her from being a dangerous warrior. Her earthbending powers were big and impressive to say the least but their more subtle uses were even more impressive.
Her seismic sense allowed her to pick up on vibrations through earth and metal. Because of that, she saw much more than any of her allies, including the lies told by other people. Toph used that ability on her friends on more than a few occasions.
Trained Herself To Metalbend
Bending is limited to the four elements in an official sense. As such, there are four key schools related to earth, water, fire, and air. But there is some grey area in the middle of it all that allows for some creativity.
While imprisoned in a metal cell, Toph discovered that her earthbending powers extended to metal. For all intents and purposes, she creates the art of metalbending. After the events of Avatar, Toph would go on to train others to metalbend.
Made Her Own Battle Armor
Metalbending, much like earthbending, was incredibly impressive to watch. But unlike earthbending, metalbending doesn't appear in the series anywhere near as often. Again, that's most likely because Toph was the only one who knew how to do it at the time.
One of the most visual uses of her newfound abilities happened when Team Avatar was taking on a fleet of Fire Nation airships. Toph metalbended herself a super cool suit of armor, then proceeded to kick everyone's butts.
Helped Train Aang
When Aang was told he was the new Avatar, he didn't react to the new responsibility well. He eventually ran away, and was frozen in ice with Appa for a century. This unsupervised time allowed the Fire Nation to annex large portions of the known world.
After finally getting out of the ice, Aang started taking the job more seriously. Toph subsequently took on the responsibility of teaching him earthbending. She wasn't the best teacher and he wasn't the best student but Toph got the job done.
Studying With Badgermoles
The variety of benders throughout Avatar aren't the strangest things in that world. There is also a shockingly odd range of animals, including flying bison with six legs.
Badgermoles are also pretty insane animals, mostly for their extreme size. They are considered to be the original earthbenders, and taught Toph to use her skills at an exceptionally young age. Their training is believed to be at the core of her overwhelming power levels.
Lays A Beating On The Dai Li Earthbenders
When Team Avatar made their way to the revered city of Ba Sing Se, they did not find what they were expecting. A powerful, repressive group had subtly taken control and enforced their way through a secret police staffed by Earthbenders called the Dai Li.
The Dai Li were, in reality, controlling Ba Sing Se, until Team Avatar showed up. Toph and the rest of Team Avatar worked to defeat them, but the biggest moment of their battle featured Toph single-handedly taking on multiple Dai Li opponents.
Held Up An Entire Library
Wan Shi Tong is literally a wise, old owl. This ancient spirit who takes the form of a giant owl has spent untold centuries collecting information for his Spirit Library. And it was information that Team Avatar needed.
When Team Avatar angered Wan Shi Tong, the owl cut off access to the library by dragging it down into the desert sands. Toph showed her true strength by using her earthbending abilities to prevent that from happening. It was a massive display of raw power.
Stood Up To Her Parents
It's not always power or refined skills that are the most impressive. Sometimes, it's the more subtle acts that deserve the biggest applause. This was the case when it came to Toph dealing with her parents.
Wealthy and repressive, they were so afraid for their blind daughter's safety that they prevented her from living her life. Toph stood up for herself and forged her own path in the world, something that isn't easy to do under the best of circumstances.